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Contents

Plot

One morning, Thomas is being cleaned when Gordon arrives, who has mud blown all over his smart blue coat of paint. Thomas tells Gordon to have a wash down, but Gordon does not care and leaves. A strong wind is blowing and Gordon's driver warns him to slow down, but that only makes Gordon more cross at being dirty and late.

At the wash down near the next station, a large sign informed engines that "all trains must wash down daily". James is just finish getting cleaned and Gordon's driver tells him it is now his turn to get washed. But Gordon angrily lets off steam and mud flies off all over James, the workmen and Gordon's driver! Gordon's driver scolds him for being a very naughty engine and now he has to wait until James gets another wash, but Gordon does not and leaves to pull the express. The Fat Controller is waiting for Gordon at Knapford and tells him that, because of his appearance, Henry will have to take the express. Gordon is then ordered by The Fat Controller to get cleaned up at once.

Gordon is soon cleaned and then pulls trucks for the rest of the day, much to his disappointment. James is getting ready to pull the express, when Gordon returns. Gordon warns James about the hills being slippery and says that he may need help, but James denies this and leaves.

Earlier, a storm had swept across Gordon's Hill, blowing leaves onto the tracks, making it very slippery for trains. The storm had already passed but the hill remained difficult to climb. James knew what had happened, and with a green signal, James goes faster and tries to go up the hill by himself like last time, but halfway up his wheels begin to slip on the leaves, and he rolls back down the hill. Gordon sees everything and helps James up the hill. The two big engines are determined to do it and finally reach the top. James and Gordon both wait to thank each other as well as saying goodbye.

That night, Thomas asks the Fat Controller if Gordon can pull coaches again. The Fat Controller says he is allowed as long as Gordon understands that having a wash down is sensible. After he leaves, Gordon is happy that he finally gets his privilege back and states that he's a famous machine no matter if he's clean or not, even though there is no one else left awake or around to hear him.